Park project shortlisted for heritage award

The £1m-plus restoration of Grantham's Wyndham Park is in the running for a prestigious award.

South Kesteven District Council's Heritage Lottery-funded project to restore the park to its former glory has been shortlisted in the Heritage Project of the Year category in the Greater Lincolnshire and Construction and Property Awards 2019.

The work on the First World War memorial park was carried out on behalf of the council by Robert Woodhead Ltd.

Improvements have included:

Construction of a visitor centre with public toilets and reception facilities

Refurbishment of the Memorial Arch, shelter and model boat lake

Refurbishment of the former ticket office and creation of dedicated meeting space for volunteers

Interpretation boards that highlight items of historical and ecological importance

Seating, signage, CCTV security cameras and lighting

Soft landscaping of trees and plants

The restoration has been a joint venture between the HLF, SKDC and the Wyndham Park Forum.

Thousands attended a Dawn of a New Era event in September that marked completion of the work.

SKDC's Cabinet Member for Retail and Visitor Economy, Cllr Nick Robins, said: "This major project drew on the original design intent for Wyndham Park to be Grantham's World War One memorial park.

"Making the shortlist is recognition of all the hard work by council staff, park volunteers and Robert Woodhead Ltd that resulted in an amazing transformation.

"It was appropriate that the project was completed in the 100thanniversary year of the end of World War One and everyone involved should be extremely proud of what has been achieved.

"The aim now is to attract more than a million visitors a year. Many people have great memories of time spent in the park and many more can now create their own."

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted by Homes Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts at Double Tree by Hilton in Lincoln on 5 February.